Sunshine and the Recluse

Hermits & Curves #1

by Megan Wade

The oldest Valentine cousin, Dylan, has a new neighbor. Not only is this a disruption of his quiet mountain life, but it’s also a disruption of his heart when it turns out his neighbor is a clueless twenty-something attempting home renovations without any experience whatsoever.
She’s all sunshine and positivity, and he’s all darkness and grump. But together, they might just work. Especially when there’s a little something called a soulwink involved…

As with all Megan Wade books, this Whisper Valley romance comes with her Sugar Promise. High heat, low drama, guaranteed.

A Whisper Valley Soulwink Romance

Genres: Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Small Town Romance, Friends To Lovers, Erotica

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2022

About the author

Megan Wade is a USA Today Bestselling Author of curvy billionaire romance featuring confident plus-size heroines and alpha heroes who adore them. With 70+ books published, she's known for steamy love stories with guaranteed happily ever afters. Her signature style: high heat, low drama, and heroines who never have to shrink to find love.

Reviews

[Renegade ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 to 4 stars

[QuinnReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine for the Great Big Grizzly Bear

4.5 stars - This is my second grump-sunshine novella today with Dylan Valentine here taking the prize for Most Cantankerous of the lot. Hehehe.... Thankfully for him, he's stumbled upon Millie Lee. She's in need of dire assistance with her fixer upper and he's the perfect - Ok, perfect is a stretch - volunteer.

"Happiness isn't for sale, Dylan. It isn't even a destination. It's a choice to be at peace with all the tiny little idiosyncrasies that make us whole."
-- Millie Lee

Ain't that the truth! Millie is bursting with joy and has an almost childlike enthusiasm for... everything. 🌞 It makes for a highly entertaining read!

'He sips [coffee], and the hum of pleasure he gives when he shallows has me all about dropping at his feet and begging him to let me have his babies.'
-- Millie 😂👶😍

I smiled and chuckled often while enjoying their story - even with the occasional dramatics or refused acknowledgements from the pair.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great grump/sunshine read.

I loved this little novella. I haven’t read a lot of grump sunshine books but really enjoyed this. I thought Dylan was a great hero and loved when he just couldn’t hold back from Millie anymore.

Plus there was a large age gap which is my jam!

[Alba M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dylan ha sido un recluso en la montaña desde que hace unos años dejó su trabajo y se fue allí a callar sus demonios. Ha sido feliz en soledad, el silencio y la paz hasta que un día aparece una nueva vecina, demasiado feliz y demasiado ruidosa. Ahora, se ve envuelto en ayudarle a reformar su cabaña en ruinas y aguantar su excesiva felicidad. Pero lo que más odia de todo es lo mucho que se está metiendo bajo su piel.

Me ha gustado la historia lo que pasa es que es... EXCESIVAMENTE DULCE. Dulce, dulce, dulce hasta el coma diabético 🤣. Está muy bien para pasar el rato pero ahora me duelen los dientes 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH ONE OF A VARIETY OF SOURCES. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!

This was an entertaining and enjoyable read, but was missing a certain something to catapult it into a five star read for me. The couple was everything I've come to expect from this author, but it just felt very familiar, as if I'd read about a similar couple from one of the author's other series and this book was just a spin off from that series. It left me feeling a little lost and confused when I read this story, honestly. Setting that aside, I really liked the character of Millie! There was something about her that made me smile when there were significant interactions with her, especially when she talked about the sunflowers she used in her branding for her website! Dylan was even affected by her enthusiasm for them! Millie really made the book enjoyable for me, and I look forward to seeing her in cameos in future books in the series!

[Gabrielle Espinoza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quede 😳 hace mucho no leía libros así cortito pero intenso

[Nicole Normand · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy from Booksprout; this is my honest review.
-I loved Dylan and saw how much he was trying not to get involved, then just gave up because he just knew it was because of the soulwink. His love song was to finish her cabin. How lovely!
-Millie was fun and flirty - but a bit too fast too strong. Then after the pancake event I just couldn't get that she would run away like that after all that had passed.
-I had to laugh when Dylan woke up before his alarm. Why in the world do you need an alarm when you're not working and you're in the woods where the birds can wake you up at dawn?
-I got confused when Dylan said he was looking at Millie through the trailer's windows. He was in the cabin and she was outside in the middle of both the trailer and the cabin.
-So Wes, Millie's brother, brakes the law for her and tells her not to tell anyone and she turns around and tells Dylan himself! I was also confused at to why the whole folder had to be brought over since she didn't even read anything but waited for Wes to give her the long-story short of it. "I needed to see those police reports to feel at peace". No one should see those reports and if they were real, the pictures of the bloodied teenager would be there along with the story.

[Kiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pick up this novella if you're looking for a sweet grump sunshine story that can be read in one sitting. I think the chemistry between the MCs, Millie and Dylan, was beautifully conveyed. Like most of Wade's books, this story features an insta-love couple. Despite how quickly the couple falls for one another, their initial interactions feel realistic. Dylan's hesitance to pursue the relationship (because of the age gap and drama in his past) adds wonderful tension to the story. Overall, it's a cute read. Doesn't bring much new to the trope but that's not a bad thing. Especially if you're just looking for a quick serotonin boost.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisbeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremadamente cursi y exagerado, pero me entretuvo un buen rato.

[Vicenta Ramos Giner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro muy bello y me encanta un monton ¡¡le doy un 10 y me lo volvere a leer muy pronto!!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[Kaarla Amaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ay yo la verdad a veces elijo lecturas muy a lo que caiga y no siempre me fijo bien pero bueno. No fue un horror o algo así, simplemente no fue muy memorable para mi, una lectura simple que pasa desapercibida.

[Adrienne Klassen · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.5

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st book in the Hermits and Curves series featuring Dylan and Millie's cute,sweet story. Millie decides she needs a change so she moves to the mountains of Whisper Valley where her new neighbor is a grumpy ex-cop Dylan. However Millie comes from a family of cops her father died in the line of duty and her brother is on the force now. So she understands cops and knows not to let them effect her positivity and her upbeat attitude. Dylan is attracted to Millie but he thinks that she deserves someone better than him. He's still affected by the shooting that happened 10yrs ago where he lost his partner and he took a bullet. That's when he moved to the mountains and when Millie comes across articles from the incident she doesn't handle it well at all. She should have spoke to Dylan especially being from a cops family. I thought that was very immature of her although I could also see her side of this. After being intimate with Dylan her emotions are all over the place then she reads about a traumatic incident and couldn't handle it. I don't want to say anymore and ruin it for anyone else with spoilers. You really need to read this sweet story to see what happens. I would recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being happy is a choice.

I really liked this mountain man story. It was entertaining and enjoyable especially with the sunshiny and grumpy relationship. The characters were easy to relate to and likable. I did want to smack Millie upside the head when she acted so impulsively. Millie had decided to start over in a new place but she wasn’t prepared for what awaited her. Dylan was living on the mountain and he knew he was getting a new neighbor but definitely wasn’t prepared for Millie. Dylan and Millie were attracted to each other but Dylan was determined to fight it as he felt that Millie deserved better than him. There was some drama and angst but it resolved well. I loved their happily ever after. I recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BrightJacks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Dylan he was kind and understanding throughout the whole book. Millie on the other hand....I liked her at first but it went down hill the more the story went on. By the end of the book I thought Dylan deserved so much better.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Magali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantic and simple
3.5
I found the story to be good, rather cute with a few twists. It's essentially the age gap that seems to be holding the hero, Dylan (the recluse), from getting close to Millie, even if she draws him strongly, but we'll slowly discover that another, heavier secret is eating away at him to the point of having chooses his reclusive position.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

It did not take much sunshine to turn a grumpy man into a dream. I love the love these two found and cannot wait for more soulwinks.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel Isaacs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute!

This book is really more a continuation of the Whisper Valley Valentine Brothers' series. The first four being the "Cocktails & Curves Series". But I do like that she set these next books aside as their own thing. They're still in the same world and in the same town even, but it makes it clear that these Valentine brothers are different from the others. The previous brothers (Kellen, Vaughn, Otis, and Remy) live in the small town of Whisper Valley. And by that, I mean they are a part of the town. They run the bar together, and they're more active in their community.

These cousins of theirs, starting with Dylan in this book, are exactly as series suggests. They're hermits or recluses. They live in Whisper Valley still, and they love their family and will always be there in a pinch. But for the most part, they keep to themselves. They live in the mountains of Whisper Valley, away from people and society. They'll make an appearance every once in a while, but that's it.

I really like Whisper Valley. (Like, is it a real place? Can I go there? Someone provide me a map, I need a vacation soon.)

Don't want to give spoilers, but this series is still operating on the idea that all these Valentine brothers, cousins, etc. are destined to experience a soulwink, and I for one am enjoying watching these men and these curvy women fall into insta-love. (Again, you have to be on board with the insta-love taking place to enjoy the short books in this series. If you're not into that, it won't be for you. But if you are in the mood for that, for low drama and quickly handled drama when it is there, and in the mood for ultra-sugary-goodness... then I highly recommend picking one up.)

P.S.: I don't know that I've mentioned this before, but it concerns the order you read these in. I myself am a tad OCD when it comes to my books. By that I mean that I can't read things out of order. Even if it doesn't matter, I just... I feel wrong if I read something out of order. And I do think this series will read better if you read it in order, starting with "Cocktails & Curves" and going forward from there into this series. That being said... there is absolutely no need for you to read them in order. The other characters all make appearances here and there, and so you will have a moment where someone pops in and you won't know who they are if you haven't read the previous books. But it's not so crucial that you have to read it in order so you can understand what's going on.

[Angie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Wade has written a 5-star book. This is the story of Millie and Dylan. Dylan is living out in the woods in his cabin and is chopping wood when he hears the sound of a chainsaw. He thinks that the Illegal loggers have come back. He goes to take a look and is shocked to sees a woman at the cabin next to his property. When he talks to the woman, he finds out she is Millie and she has plans to repair the cabin and live there. He tells her that he is Dylan and he asked, "Are you going to get some help?" She tells him no, she is going to do it all herself." He tells her that he would help her starting the next day after he took care of some things. At first things between them are going well. They get along well. Then Dylan's mood changes and he won't even talk to Millie. He has feelings for her but thinks that with his age, she could do better. One morning he wakes up to rain and has a feeling he needs to go and check on her. When he gets to her camper, she won't open the door. She tells him to go away, he doesn't have to help her anymore. He opens the door and finds her sitting on the floor with pots full of water around her. The roof of the camper is leaking and she is wet and cold. He finally tells her how he feels about her and he tells her he is taking her to his cabin. After they get to his cabin, he draws a bath for her so that she can get warm. Dylan has decided to stop fighting his feelings for Millie and tells her what is going to happen if she allows it. They sleep together and she wakes up before him the next morning. She decides to make breakfast for him. She makes pancakes but spills some. While looking for a towel, she finds an article about Dylan. After reading the headline, she runs away from Dylan. She goes back home and finds her brother Wes who is a cop. She wants him to find out what happened with Dylan. Wes tells her to lay low while he gets the information she wants. When Wes gives her the information, she knows she made a mistake in leaving the way she did. Dylan is upset after Millie leaves. He needs something to keep busy so he gets his brothers and cousins to help him finish Millie's cabin. Millie reads the information, she tells Wes she has to go back to Dylan.
Will things work out between Millie and Dylan?
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patti Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Millie always looked on the bright side of life. So when she sold everything and bought a cabin in the woods, she just knew her life was going to change. Upon getting to her cabin it was not at all what she bought. It was an old run down place with over grown grass but she had a vision and was going to make it happen.
Dylan is a recluse and likes it that way nice and quiet. That is until one day he hears a chainsaw in the distance, thinking it was a developer he decided to take a look. What he finds is a woman trying to cut the brush away without killing herself. Dylan goes to her and tells her to put it down and explains the tool is to big for her. They introduced themselves and being grouchy, he's not happy she's doing this by herself. She's all sunshine and roses, Dylan tells her he will help her but being proud she tells him she can do by herself.
After Dylan goes home, he can't stop thinking about her. The next day he goes to her place and they start working together. They have their differences but they get along. One night a storm came through and Dylan went to make sure she was ok. She was not cause the tiny trailer she was sitting in the trailer the roof was leaking. Dylan scooped her up and took her to his place. Letting her take a bath and while she was doing that he got her some dry clothes but they never made them on as she confesses she wants him and he tells her the same.
Then the next day she sees something that shocked her and scared her so she left and went home to see her brother to find out what she saw and find the truth. Once she found out the information, she drove back to Dylan the man she loves. She arrived home to find her cabin fully finished. Dylan was lost without her there with him. When he sees her he knows what he needs to do, that is marrying her. He has changed, he is no longer grouchy as her sunshine has brought out the best in him.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dylan watched his cousins fall in love and heard about the theory of the soulwink. That is when a Valentine male first sees the woman who is meant to be theirs, they feel an instant connection. Dylan makes fun off the idea even when they tell him he will probably be next. He and his brothers are recluses on their mountain and he is so cranky that he drives everyone away. He is shocked when he hears that he is going to have a new neighbor since the house has been empty for over a decade. Then one day he hears a chainsaw nearby and goes storming over to chase them off his property. Instead he meets Millie, a sunshiney beautiful woman with a cheery smile on her face. She is trying to renovate her cabin she bought sight unseen with no clue of how to do it. Dylan wants to storm away but after seeing her almost cut her leg off with a chainsaw, he feels obligated to keep her safe. He refuses to let her close to him but he also can't stop thinking about her.

Millie is an artist with a passion for sunflowers. At home she has no inspiration, so she went looking for a change of scenery. Online she finds a cute little cabin near a picturesque little town and buys it sight unseen. Upon arrival, she discovers that the online photos has no resemblance to real life. The cabin is a mess but Millie won't let it get her down. Her philosophy is being happy is a choice you make. Her first day trying to fix-up her cabin, she meets Dylan, a grumpy and bossy man. He yells at her for trying to use tools she has no idea on how to use and tells her he will help her fix her cabin. Millie is grateful for the experienced help and tries to make friends with Dylan. He keeps pushing her away and then kissing her. Millie is getting very confused.

[JillyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book I have read by this author. Summer has been rather busy with not much time for longer stories(even my harlequins have been too long lately). This story scratches my itch and my need for some escapism.

Very big age gap in this one!(Dylan 49 to Millie’s 24) Millie, an artist who specializes in sun flower art, buys a piece of property(sight unseen) and finds that it looks nothing like the pictures. She attempts renovations on her own wielding a chainsaw that almost takes her out.


The H, Dylan, is her nearest next door neighbor. He has a dark past and came to the mountains to live a peaceful life away from others(although his married cousins and his bachelor brothers live in the same town as him, the cousins have their stories, MW is currently writing about the bachelor brothers). So while city folk are paying money to throw axes at big dart boards, he is keeping it real in the mountains.


He comes across the h and her ginormous chainsaw, and decides that it is his civic duty to assist her in her endeavors. He is immediately attracted to her and he has a hard time ignoring her sunny disposition. She is attracted to him as well, and is trying to wheedle her way into his gruff heart.

Although the story is short, MW is able to weave in some black moments to keep the story interesting. Their age difference and his past being a couple of them. In the end all works out and MW leaves us with an epilogue as well.

So if you are looking for a short read with a grumpy older man and a Polly Anna heroine this should fit the bill nicely. I enjoyed it. The story is told from both POV’s and MW includes a couple of sexy times, but doesn’t go overboard like some KU reads.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A recluse and Ms. Sunshine who would have thought Dylan sexy as all get out cousin to the Valentine’s who formed the Soulwink girl group have been living alone up in the mountains trying his best to keep the ghost from his past at bay and then one day he gets a neighbor with a chainsaw trying to get through the overgrown everything. Millie a.k.a Ms. Sunshine naïve a little curvy wants to be happy, make everyone around her happy and decided to purchase a cabin out in mountains without actually driving up to go and see the actual cabin (bought it based on pictures alone) well she was out trying to clear the overgrown everything with a chainsaw too big, heave for her little, curvy frame when this mountain walks up to save her this is where the fun begins. From the moment he stopped her from using that chainsaw Dylan was affected in a good way attraction was intense on both ends but him being the sexy as all get out grump, not giving her an inch in but her happiness is winning and slowly shining light into all the darkness now he understand that Soulwink think his cousins are always talking about but how could he be with someone so pure and happy is the questions he keep asking himself while keeping her at arms bay and while helping her get the cabin into a living condition. Millie on the other hand is being her happy sunshine self. Bringing happiness to everyone around her one sunflower at a time but will it be enough, can she help him through what he has been through, will she give him the chance he needs, and are they caught up in the Soulwink?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Renée Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you've closed yourself off from the world, it takes someone special to bring you back again. In Sunshine and the Recluse, Dylan has been hiding out atop his mountain, avoiding people as much as possible. Hey, don't we all wish we could do this? He, of course, has a good reason for being a recluse - he has trauma in his past that still plagues him. When the bubbly and happy Millie shows up next door and is set on renovating her rundown cabin, Dylan decides to help her - partly because he worries she'll hurt herself since she is so green at home renovations, and partly because he is drawn to her sunshiney attitude. Their romance is sweet and when the angst comes, it doesn't cloud over the whole book. Although, with such things, I do feel as though a simple conversation between the lovebirds would have solved things quicker...but who am I to judge?

This was my first "soulwink" book but I really love the concept of soulmates finding each other and their souls recognizing each other in an instant. I liked the concept of Millie "choosing" happiness - and when she explained that she does feel sadness, and it is a strong emotion within her, but she chooses to be happy, I found that inspiring. It's not something I could do - I think in this case, I am much more grump than sunshine. But I admire people like her. I liked the small town vibe in this book, the gossip amongst the Valentine family, and I love me a good Meet-Cute and this story had a fun one.

This was a quick and enjoyable read and made me want to move to Whisper Valley and buy sunflower art.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

The soulwink wins again!
This book is about Millie and Dylan. Millie has moved her life to Whisper Valley from Kismet Cove for a breath of fresh, new air and inspiration. She’s bought a cabin which she intends to renovate, but doesn’t realise just how run-down it is until she gets there. Her reclusive but hot neighbour Dylan offers her some help, seeing it’s going to be a massive undertaking. He’s one of the Valentine boys (a cousin of those ‘other’ Valentine boys), and has a past he’d rather forget – or at least not talk about. So while his offer of help is unusual, it’s very sincere.Other than his family, Dylan prefers his own company, spending a lot of time alone.
However, his new little-ray-of-sunshine and tenacious neighbour has other ideas. Her looks and personality worm her way into his head and heart, despite his efforts to distance himself emotionally. His cousin-in-law Jade’s ‘soul-wink’ theory seems to be getting tested yet again!
This is a fun story with secrets, surprises, sunflowers, sweet moments, steamy passion and a huge family. It was fun to read about the Valentine’s (Bar and Grill) boys and their wives, and Wes and Tamara again. I’s like a mini reunion. And now I’m looking forward to meeting and learning more about Dylan’s brothers – Nelson, Ajax and Rafe. I did however feel that the story ended too abruptly, but I’m pretty sure we’ll catch up with these characters again in this series. I give this book four and a half renovated stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melly Gem · Rating 2 out of 5]

To instant love for me.
I was hoping for more grump and sunshine back and forth, him always complaining and she always on the positive it annoys him till it doesn't, but I would barely classify them as those traits for this. The man demands to help her straight away (watch a hallmark movie, they do it better). i was hoping for a bit of loralai and Luke (Gilmore girls) banter.
The beginning was cute with her struggling with a chainsaw and him offering to help, but then it just went a little flat.
Out of nowhere because it's raining?? He declares he wants her. He takes her to his cabin and runs a bath (sorry, but why does a recluse mountain man have dried flowers and bath milk???? And she never asks. Then boom, shocker, they get it on. But in my opinion, it was really off putting it was her first time, and since he is 49 (her 24), I really thought he would have been nicer about it and taken some care (nope).
Then she finds something about his past the next morning, and instead of, hmm, I don't know, asking him, she literally runs away home (real mature there hun).
And then the icing of annoyance when she comes back they get engaged.
IT'S BEEN 5 WEEKS!! 5 FREAKIN WEEKS!! AND HE HAS A RING HE BROUGHT ON WEEK 1!!
W👏T👏A👏F👏.
I would have preferred they just sorted it out and then in the Epilogue talk about the marriage after a reasonable amount of time to live in your house and work and get to know the town.
Sorry, this review is prob harsh, but that was literally a fan fic with little to no substance.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Wade kicks off a new series, Hermits and Curves (a spinoff of my favourite series of her, Cocktails and Curves) with the fabulously entertaining, steamy and sweet age-gap romance, Sunshine and the Recluse. Dylan has heard all about his cousins' wives' theory of soulmates and "soulwinks" but does not think it will ever apply to him. A recluse living in a cabin in the mountains, he has never felt deserving after a career-ending incident while he was a cop over a decade ago. Then a young, curvy goddess moves onto the land next door - which includes a dilapidated cabin that she has no business trying to renovate on her own. Millie is an artist who has lost her inspiration so has packed up all her worldly possessions and bought a cabin in the mountains. Always bubbly and seemingly happy, Millie and her naiveté at first irritates the grumpy, growly, older Dylan. But before long, his overprotective nature means he is helping her work on her cabin while falling for the beautiful young woman. Dylan and Millie's story is full of Kindle-melting chemistry, delicious banter, a heroine you can relate to and a hero who will make your heart race. Like everything by Ms Wade, Sunshine and the Recluse is a can't-put-it-down must-read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number 1 of the Hermits & Curves series and focuses on Dylan and Millie. When Millie decided to move to Whisper Valley and renovate a cabin, she got more than she initially bargained for when she discovered the state of the cabin. Dylan is the oldest of the Valentines and considered a recluse and a grump while Millie is the complete opposite on the outside and tries to spread joy and happiness when she can. When Dylan first sets eyes on his new neighbor he immediately feels that she could be his soulmate but he ends up puts up quite the fight while helping her renovate her cabin. He felt that he was too old for her and that he didn't deserve her. He fought his feelings hard for a few weeks until he just couldn't do it anymore. Dylan knew that Millie was the sunshine that he needed to heal from an awful experience and was determined to make sure that his sunshine was happy and protected. I absolutely loved this book and I can't wait to see the rest of the brothers find their soulwinks.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Sunshine and the Recluse' by Megan Wade is the first book in her new series Hermits & Curves Book and tells the tale of Millie, an internet blogger, and Dylan, a former policeman. Millie wanted a change of place and purchased a cabin in Whisper Valley. She knew that the cabin needed to be renovated and thought it could be a good project for for her online community to follow. Dylan had moved to his mountain retreat after getting hurt on the job and all he wanted was peace and quiet. Now he was getting a neighbor who was going to disturb his quiet. He never realized his neighbor would be a cute, curvy, single young woman who didn't know the first thing about renovations.

Ms. Wade has written a lovely beginning to her new series. Although this book is short it is well written with great characters, witty dialogue, and a charming plot. The chemistry between Millie and Dylan is steamy even though he tries to deny the attraction. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes a quick but satisfying read with their glass of wine. Looking forward to the next book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amos24601 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I don’t know how to do this.”
“Do what?”
“How to live without you when I want you so much it hurts.”

Um, SWOON. Dylan was all the broody, moody and sexy recluse in this. He really did try his best to resist the sunshine that was Millie. He didn’t stand a chance. Millie was bubbly and bright. Definitely a glass half full girl. I really loved how Wade made the point that even the bubbly girls struggle to find their happy place at times. I thought that really hit home as an important lesson in the midst of a happy little book.

My qualm here was how Millie reacted to some news she learned about Dylan. I thought he deserved a little more consideration from her after she talked about how happiness is where you find it and all that jazz. Still, I liked Millie and Dylan together. They were sweet and sexy.

We get introduced to a whole slew of Valentine family members here setting up for this series. It's shaping up to be a good one.

*I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.